Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey

Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are unquestionably two of the greatest epic masterpieces in Western literature. Though more than 2,700 years old, their stories of brave heroics, capricious gods, and towering human emotions are vividly timeless. The Iliad can justly be called the world’s greatest war epic. The terrible and long-drawn-out siege of Troy remains one of the classic campaigns. The Odyssey chronicles the many trials and adventures Odysseus must pass through on his long journey home from the Trojan wars to his beloved wife.

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Publisher's Summary

Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are unquestionably two of the greatest epic masterpieces in Western literature. Though more than 2,700 years old, their stories of brave heroics, capricious gods, and towering human emotions are vividly timeless.

The Iliad can justly be called the world’s greatest war epic. The terrible and long-drawn-out siege of Troy remains one of the classic campaigns, the heroism and treachery of its combatants unmatched in song and story. Driven by fierce passions and loyalties, men and gods battle to a devastating conclusion.

The Odyssey chronicles the many trials and adventures Odysseus must pass through on his long journey home from the Trojan wars to his beloved wife. Though the stormy god of the ocean has sworn vengeance against him, and witches and sirens try to lure him off course, Odysseus is clever and has the brilliant goddess Athena on his side.

Homer (9th or 8th century B.C.) is the presumed author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, the two greatest epic poems of ancient Greece. Virtually nothing is known about his life. Tradition has it that he was blind. Most scholars believe he composed the Iliad and the Odyssey by relying on oral traditions. Their value lies chiefly in the poetry itself, moving from sublime passages about the gods and heroic exploits to passages expressing deep human emotion.

Public Domain (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What the Critics Say

"The best translation of Homer that I have ever read is by W. H. D. Rouse." (Dudley Fitts)

The Iliad is one of those books which can be made or broken by the narrator. With this rendition, Anthony Heald has immediately joined my list of favourites (Patrick Tull, Nigel Lambert, Stephen Fry..) He breathes life into every one of the characters and more than makes up for any quibbles you might have with the translation.

I did not quite like the Butler translation read by Lescault. Butler uses Roman names for Greek Gods, and Lescault's narration is rather bland. Heald injects so much energy that you'd find a grocery list interesting (and to be frank, there are bits of the Iliad which are pretty grocery-like in character)

As for the book - well, it's the Iliad! A magnificent crusty old monument whose shadow falls across Western literature through the ages... well worth your time.

Being able to listen to both stories back to back because they feed off of and inform one another. The language, the imagery, the characters, the action. Given that these stories were originally performed live by traveling poets and singers, listening to the story comes closer to approximating the original experience.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey?

If you could sum up Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, Intelligent, Thrilling.

Have you listened to any of Anthony Heald’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Any additional comments?

Anthony Heald brings an old story back to life. Simply the best performance I have ever heard.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Nicky Beet

9/21/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"truly epic"

Would you listen to Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey again? Why?

Yes i would as im bound to forget bits of it over time

What other book might you compare Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey to, and why?

It compares favourably to any book of myth&legend of the gods&greats

Have you listened to any of Anthony Heald’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I have not but his voice fitted well with the story&genre

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

To much to take in in 1go

Any additional comments?

It is an epic in every sense of the wordNot only is it a wonderful story but it also offers insights into ancient gree hustory,culture&societyShows the gods warts&all as both great&petty amongst many things.

In time this will be how we view our own books of gods&myths

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Angeles Martinez

Spain

3/17/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"beautiful stories, beautifully read.."

What made the experience of listening to Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey the most enjoyable?

both books have been on my "to do" list for years but for some reason I thought of reading them a bit of a daunting task. What a pleasure to listen to them, so beautifully read or should I say acted? so many names, gods, mortals.. I found it confusing at the beginning, who is who? who is doing what to whom? and it really doesn't matter, just listen and enjoy every minute.

What did you like best about this story?

everything

Have you listened to any of Anthony Heald’s other performances? How does this one compare?

no, but I thought he was fantastic

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

let yourself be carried away ....

Any additional comments?

forgive my possible mistakes, english is not my mother tongue.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Abelardo

Waco, Texas, United States

4/9/13

Overall

"Iliad"

great book, great reading it helped out since i forgot to read sometimes and this helped keep up

2 of 4 people found this review helpful

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